Former WBO light-welterweight champion Ruslan Provodnikov will have eyes on this weekend’s big title fight between Manny Pacquiao and Chris Algieri as the Russian puncher could face either no matter the result.

Pacquiao and Algeri face-off in Macau, China for the Filipino’s WBO title at 147lbs and Provodinkov has a vested in interest in the outcome after narrowly missing out on being involved in the fight himself.

Provodnikov lost on points to Algieri earlier this year as the American took his world title belt, a fight that was effectively a Pacquiao eliminator, and ‘The Siberian Rocky’ has no doubts that he could have posed a greater threat this Saturday night.

“I definitely feel that I would have been a better challenge to Pacquiao than Algieri,” Provodnikov told World Boxing News.

“I think Algieri definitely has chances as this is boxing, but I think Pacquiao can knock Algieri out and I think he will.

Provodnikov went on: “Once the fight is over I would be willing to face either fighter. I know that my fight with Manny could potentially be another fight of the year as I know that from our sparring sessions and from our aggressive styles that we would give a good fight to the fans.

“I also want the rematch with Algieri though because I want revenge, but it will be very difficult to make an exciting fight with him no matter who fights him due to his style.”

The big debate in the build-up to Pacquiao’s latest bout has again been a potential mega-fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Provodnikov was optimistic when asked if he thinks the pair will eventually meet in the ring.

“I definitely think Pacquiao and Mayweather will fight, but I think it’s very hard to make it happen right now because boxing is too much about business and not the sport. I hope it happens for the fans though,” said Provodnikov.

Mexican legend Jose Luis Castilo is next up for Provodnikov on November 29 in his native Moscow, a contest the exciting warrior cannot afford to lose as another run towards a world title shot looms large in 2015.